Camí de Cavalls 360º works together with the GOB Menorca’s agrarian stewardship programme, which takes care of stream beds near the route. Just one more small step in our commitment to the environment and to protecting the Camí de Cavalls.
Camí de Cavalls 360º and Menorca 360º are activities that use public and fragile resources such as the Camí de Cavalls and other paths around the island. Even though we represent only a tiny fraction of the real human pressure that the Camí de Cavalls and the natural areas it crosses are under today, we’re fully aware of our responsibility when it comes to using and promoting these public resources properly. We don’t just want to be users — we want to actively help maintain and protect them.
That’s why, for years now, we’ve been promoting a conservation project with direct contributions to improve the Camí de Cavalls. We also organise clean-up outings with the aim of moving towards a plastic-free Menorca. And now we’re launching a new collaboration with GOB Menorca focused on taking care of the surroundings of the Camí de Cavalls.
Part of the agrarian stewardship programme
Many of Menorca’s streams are blocked inside their channels. When heavy rain hits, they overflow again and again, affecting nearby farmland. One of the goals of the agrarian stewardship programme is to reverse situations like this by cleaning stream beds and improving the ecological quality of their surroundings.
Camí de Cavalls 360º has committed to taking an active role in this programme — both by funding on-the-ground actions and by providing volunteers to help carry them out.
Torrent de Cala en Porter
The first project Camí de Cavalls 360º took part in was a restoration initiative at the site known as Hort 3, an organic fruit farm along the Torrent de Cala en Porter. A section of the stream had become blocked by several invasive plant species that had taken over and were stopping the water from flowing. This area had been heavily altered in the past, losing its native riverside vegetation and becoming overrun by garden plants, mainly Ipomoea, Colocasia and giant reed (Arundo).
The invasive species were removed using different methods in successive stages. Afterwards, native riverside shrubs and trees were planted with the help of volunteers. Around 150 plants were added, including elms, myrtles and hawthorns. This riverside vegetation serves two main purposes: reducing erosion along the banks and creating shade to slow down the growth of invasive plants.
Torrent de Biniguardó
After the success of the work at the Torrent de Cala en Porter — which once again showed how collaborative efforts can help restore natural spaces while also supporting responsible food production — Camí de Cavalls 360º took part in a second project at the Torrent de Biniguardó, just before reaching the Concepció salt pans and the Camí de Cavalls, in the Fornells area.
In this case, GOB Menorca identified obstacles in the stream bed (trees growing right in the middle of the watercourse, dead trunks and fallen branches) that, during periods of heavy rain, act as barriers and divert water towards the Camí de Cavalls and the salt flats. The work involved selectively clearing 350 metres of the stream, focusing only on points that clearly posed a risk of blockage, and always with the proper authorisation from Natura 2000 and the Water Resources authorities.
Our environmental commitment is strong, and we’ll keep working to protect the Camí de Cavalls and to make sure our activity has a positive impact on the trail and its surroundings.
